Brevard Zoo ostrich dies of intestinal issues

Published: April 13 2018

Brevard Zoo ostrich dies of intestinal issues.

Brevard Zoo

Blue, a 23-year-old ostrich, was found dead in her habitat at Brevard Zoo on Tuesday morning. A necropsy revealed intestinal disease leading to fluid leakage within the body cavity. Because animals often mask symptoms of illness as a survival instinct, veterinary staff are unsure as to when this issue began to develop.

The day prior, Blue became stuck in a containment wire. She was visited by a veterinarian immediately and appeared unharmed.

“The disease was certainly the cause of death, but the incident on Monday may have exacerbated the problem,” said Trevor Zachariah, director of veterinary programs at the Zoo.

Blue’s keepers described her as a “sweet and sassy” bird who enjoyed lettuce, grapes, dirt baths and getting misted with a hose. A 15-year resident of the Zoo, she will be sorely missed.